PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between AJ Lopez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vanapa Animai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). AJ Lopez has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lopez
vs
Animai

180 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

186 cm
23
212 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, AJ Lopez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vanapa Animai!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Trevor Gratis and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Animai swats away the attempt to clinch by Lopez.

Animai darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Animai lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Animai sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lopez defending well though.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Animai lands a nice short elbow.
Animai thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Animai has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Animai throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Animai slips a nice elbow through Lopez's hands, connecting with Lopez's forehead.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Animai trying to control the action but Lopez is working from the bottom.
Animai performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Lopez wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Animai thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lopez's head.

Animai is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lopez is just riding it out for now. Animai eventually gives up the hold.

Animai is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Animai seems to be working for a kimura but Lopez defends the submission attempt.
Lopez is looking to get back to full guard here but Animai has managed to pass to side control instead.
Lopez being controlled for a moment.

Animai has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Animai sprawls well. Animai wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lopez gets slowly back to his feet.
Lopez lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Animai looks for a takedown but Lopez sprawls well.
Animai throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lopez's waist but Lopez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Animai off to one side.
Animai looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lopez is fending him off so far but Animai persists. Nope, Lopez circles away and we're back to standing.
AJ Lopez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vanapa Animai.
Animai shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lopez as he jumps to the side.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Animai closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Animai lands in his opponent's guard.
Animai looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lopez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Animai wants to pass the guard but Lopez is keeping the position.
Lopez wants to sweep but no luck.
Lopez is working hard here to advance position.
Animai connects with a couple of short punches.
Animai throws a big right hand that misses.
Lopez is trying to keep Animai in close.
Lopez could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Animai is working Lopez over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Animai lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Animai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lopez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Animai postures up.
Animai in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Animai decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Animai scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Lopez tries to get to full guard but Animai has control of the leg.
Animai working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Animai wants to take a breather but Lopez is having none of it.
Animai takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vanapa Animai dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Animai looking to score a takedown here. Lopez is defending well but Animai drives through and ends up in Lopez's guard.

Animai drops back, looking for a kneebar! Lopez looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Lopez looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Lopez!
Animai is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lopez working the ground and pound but Animai is defending the strikes.

Animai explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Lopez throws a right hand that Animai ducks under and follows up with a left that Animai also avoids with ease.

Animai shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Animai is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Animai is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez trying to control but Animai postures up.
Lopez tries to get to full guard but Animai has control of the leg.
Animai tries to pass to full mount but Lopez defends it.
Lopez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Animai prevents Lopez from improving his position.
Lopez trying to control from the bottom.
Animai not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Animai lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Animai.
Animai takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Animai in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Lopez tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Animai!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Vanapa Animai!
A very excited looking Vanapa Animai made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.